Totally Z's Kind of Battle [Session 47]

Current Situation

(This session takes place 18 Nightal)
The Trollmates arrive in Amphail to find a celebration going on. They begin to search for Hiron Zail, and find the driver associated with the wagons they were looking for - a halfling named Gen Cresstalker. They make plans to talk with him in a quieter space when the celebration is interrupted right in the middle of the pie contest!

Session Summary

Dhann lets the group know he received a Send from Erky, letting him know that the Gnome was adding some extra security measures - it seems that the house of Vincent Trench has been ransacked. A message was also sent to the tavern by Renaer Neverember, and Erky has asked if the young nobleman can be trusted. Dhann asks the group what their thoughts on that are, as their answers will help determine what he Sends to Erky later. To Dhann, Renaer has proved a trustworthy friend, and Z says he can be trusted. Elyana says that she'll give Renaer the benefit of the doubt, while Barrett says that it's a soft no from him. He doesn't trust Renaer, but says, "If the group consensus is different, I'm not going to go to the mattresses over this." Dhann says he'll Send Erky laster that night, depending on how the day transpires.
The Trollmates meet the Ogolelos in the main house for a warm breakfast on the cold, but sunny, morning of the 18th. The hands are making their way out to the fields after leisurely payday. Z has spent a bit of the morning reading his "How to Make a Magic Carpet" book, to get to know his carpet companion a little better.
Speaking to Matham Ogolelo at breakfast, Dhann asks the Goliath if he knows if the cultists, when talking to people, made any sort of physical contact, like with a handshake. The Goliath had mentioned something of the sort in passing, the day before. Math says yes, the one time he saw it happen, the cultists approached someone on the road, shook their hand, said a few words, and the person up and left immediately. Hearing this, Dhann urges Math, that, besides not speaking to them, everyone on the farm should also avoid physical contact, or even getting close to anyone in the blue robes.
Dhann also asks if the Trollmate's visit can be kept a bit quiet. With the suddenness of their appearance, the change in ownership, and the group asking about the cult, additional attention drawn to the farm would be a good thing to avoid. Math says not a problem, with "You're the boss."
Going back to the bunkhouse to collect their things, the Trollmates have a discussion in private before setting out on the road to Amphail. Dhann has been doing some thinking, and pitches his theory to the group that perhaps the cult, when first meeting people, is using Shadow magic to compel them back to the Church for further ensnarement. The Cleric isn't able to think of any magic strong enough to work on every single person it seems to be used on, and he doesn't think Elyana knows of any, either. Maybe when the cultists shake someone's hand, they're infecting the target with a strand of Shadow, with the Shadow being "assigned" the purpose of getting the target to leave behind their former life and go to Waterdeep (or the nearest city with a portal, or wherever it is they're being told to go). The group knows Shadow can be injected, and is incredibly powerful. Alectos is a good example; a creature as powerful as that isn't supposed to be able to be charmed, and should be able to sense evil, but the former essentially happened and the latter did not. And, based on the answer he got back from Helm, Dhann has reason to believe Shadow is being used, overall, to pull people into the cult. He finishes, "I'm wondering if that's not where it starts." Z says, "That would make sense...not like a mind charm, but almost like an infection, like you say. A physical ensnarement." Elyana adds, "All of that tracks, pretty well...And also makes me realize, if it's Shadow, then...yeah, none of the abilities we have to protect ourselves would work, I don't think." Radiant magic helps, but isn't a preventative sort of protection - as far as they've used it - so much as a way to eradicate Shadow already present.
"I don't want that happening to anybody," Dhann says to all three of them. "But I think not only should we be careful about spoken word, I think contact, now, is a concern." Z agrees with this, and thinks this puts things into the "Avoid the Cultists" camp. Ely agrees, but asks if she can use Mage Hand to trip one from afar. Dhann says he can't tell her what to do, but would still caution her against it. Elyana responds that Helm has to at least have some sort of joking side to him. Z thinks the cultists should be avoided as possible, and, if they try to approach the group, be kept from doing so, with things like entanglement so they can keep a distance.
Z then wonders if the cultists carry some sort of tiny amount of Shadow, perhaps in a satchel of some kind. Dhann picks up this thought, saying he found it curious that the "leaders" of these groups wear silver in their sashes - he's not sure, but maybe Shadow is being woven and held in the sashes. Perhaps one of the books from the Nandar Library has more detail. "So - get our asses in gear," Z affirms. "Get this Amphail thing taken care of, and get north, and come back, and do the thing before the thing happens!"
Details on Amphail:
- About 700 people (which number includes a number of people that live on the outskirts of town)
- It's known for:
  - It's origins are based in horse breeding. There are a number of families that raise the some of the highest quality animals in the region. Amphail was founded by one of the original keepers of Waterdeep. The tradition of breeding and keeping good horse stock has been retained.
  - The town is surrounded by large horse ranches. The inside of town is a mix of what a town is known for, but due to its proximity to Waterdeep, is a known "get out of the city" spot for nobles and those tired of the city's busyness. "Watch out for those with silver in their saddle," sort of town.
The Trollmates decide that Elyana will Seem all of them, and they'll cut across country again, taking to the fields and avoiding roads altogether. It's about 10:30 am when they big the farmers and Blackwood Farm farewell for the time being.
- Elyana stays her height, with slightly shorter and different colored hair.
- Dhann stays his height, with slightly darker hair.
- Z stays his height, but as a human woman, like a tallish dwarf.
- Barrett stays his height, simple hair changes.
- Overall, they are wearing traveller's clothing, with items that, if someone makes brief contact with them - like a handshake - what they see and what they feel won't be too different, minimizing the chances of someone realizing the group is disguised with an illusory spell.
There is a dedicated space in Amphail for Chauntea for locals and travelers to pay homage to, should they wish.
Z and Dhann work on a plan for using Locate Object to help find the relic, should it be in the town limits. Dhann agrees to cast it first. As they walk, Barrett doesn't see any guards or griffin riders. Z says they'll probably have to spend the night in town, if no leads or relics are located, and the group agrees.
About a half mile away from the town proper, the group get treated to the magnificent sight of a herd of Amphail Greys kicking up into a gallop on one of the outer ranches. There's about twenty of them, and they're a beautiful sight charging across the grasses. This breed is bred for both speed and endurance, being slightly smaller than the common warhorse but not made stockier by their smaller confirmation.
When the Trollmates arrive in Amphail after a good several hours of walking, it's about four in the afternoon. Approaching the town center, there's quite a ruckus. Music, dancing, lots of chatter and even carnival barkers of a sort are heard. There's clearly some sort of celebration being held. The smell of something smells spectacular on the wind. Sweets, and some sort of roast.
Elyana sees a notice board and scans it to see if she can gain any information. Nothing looks to be heralding anything negative, and she does catch some information on a parchment about what's happening in the town today. For a second, she thinks she sees a coat that bears the sigil of a Waterdhavian Guard, but she's not sure who it belongs to. Barrett checks again for griffin riders and is confident none are about.
The festival is a "Naming Day," for the 18th - today - and this explains the revelry. A Naming Day is a day on which someone celebrates the day and following anniversaries of when they received their "noble" name. Something of an alternate celebration to a birthday, as birthday records, in some cases, may not be kept as cleanly as records of nobility. The person celebrating today is Tylandar Roaringhorn.
Elyana also notices a carriage parked outside of a large building, a red one, that remotely meets the description of the wagons of Gen Cresstalker. There isn't a driver around, but the horses are standing calmly in their tresses. The wagons are full of Nightgreens and Rockwheat. At this time, Dhann casts Locate Object, seeing as the group is now within the bounds of the town. He's focusing on the piece of the relic they need to find. Nothing immediately pings.
The town center is full of people attending the Name Day; plenty of nobly dressed folk but also clean and more modestly dressed people. There's dancing, tables of food and drink, a boulder throwing game, a dice game of sorts, and plenty of chatter throughout. A stage in the middle of town looks as if it's being prepared for some sort of game or announcement. On the southern end of the square, a massive equestrian statue soars over the heads of everyone, standing at two stories tall. It's certainly seen better days (or a past with less disrespectful youth) as there are some signs of vandalism from years of visiting "artists," and plenty of bird droppings decorating it. While the statue was originally of a rider and a stallion, it's now a rider and gelding.
With about two hours left of Seeming, the group decides to split up to cover more ground with Locate Object. The plan is to meet at the inn across the way, in about an hour and a half to procure a room and recast their disguises. Dhann says their story for asking after Zail should be that he's an acquintance of theirs, and seeing as both Zail and they would happen to be in the same town for business, planned to meet up if they crossed paths. They simply want to locate the friend of a friend. Barrett and Z head to the north side of the square, and Ely and Dhann head to the east, towards the inn, The Stone Stallion.
Ely and Dhann see a well dressed man near some wine casks, with a more rough and tumble man hanging about by the ale casks. Passing a small group of young nobles, Dhann observes one of them - who the Cleric learns is named Terrence - and catches him complaining snottily about the quality of the food and the lower class of a lot of the folk invited to the celebrations. "And anyone is clearly invited." His yes-man nods along to anything he says. Dhann hisses to Ely that they're going to steer clear of Terrence.
Ely approaches the human man hanging about by the ale. He looks like he knows what a day's work is, but is dressed nicely and has a large beard. Elyana says they've just come into town, and what's good and fun to do around town? He explains the celebration this Name Day is for "that old windbag" and gestures amiably (free ale is free ale, after all!) to the stage where a substantial man is going over some papers. He doesn't know of anyone matching Zail's description. "People travel through there all the time!"
The Warlock finishes off her flask and refills it at the nearest ale cask. As she does, the man by the wine comes over and says, "If you want anything better than that...swill, please let me know. I've got two casks, of my finest. Wine, of course." Ely says she might come back later, and the man, holding his own wine glass, says to suit herself but not complain if she wakes up hungover. Ely muses to herself that would be a first in quite a long time.
Meeting back up with Dhann, Elyana looks about for Gen, and spies someone that matches his description, just behind Z and Barret across the way. He's also playing a merry tune on a flute, with another bardlike figure on a lute. "Hey Dhann..." Ely starts. "Would you Send a message?" She points out Gen and Dhann hesitates at first to use a Send, but it would bring less attention than meeting back up with those they just left, so he Sends to Barrett, as he's a bit closer than Z:
- "Barrett - Gen Cresstalker is right behind you. Halfling on the flute."

Barrett receives the message, points to Gen for confirmation, and then gets Z's attention as well. They start to approach Gen. At the same time, there's a banging from the stage, and it's clear Roaringhorn is about to speak. He gets everyone's attention and then waves his arms wide in greeting and announcement. "Welcome, welcome to my Name Day! Thank you for coming to celebrate!" He gives a bit of his history and how great it is he, and the town, know each other. The food is almost ready, there's a pie eating contest about to start, and he points out games people can also partake in. The roast is going to be done in about half an hour. There's polite applause, and Roaringhorn is loving the attention, despite most of the turnout being for the free dinner.
Elyana takes a whiff of the ale to see if she can gauge the overall quality of it, and Dhann sees a few folk getting situated on the stage, getting ready to scarf down a multitude of pies. The ale smells like ale, and non of the pies sport any shadowy tendrils.
Gen has stopped to take a swig from a tankard and begins another song on his flute, and Z takes the opportunity to pull out his stringed instrument and being an accompaniment with some Guidance from Barrett. Both of the other musicians turn, still playing and are clearly impressed, and even a crowd begins to gather around the now trio of musicians. Mighty applause follows the conclusion of the first song. The pie eating contest entrants wait to start, as the crowd that would be watching them is currently watching the bards.
When the piece if over, Z flips his lovely hair over his shoulder and introduces herself as Grinda Z. "Oh, what a joy to play with you!" She says. "I don't think I've ever played with anyone so good!" Gen returns. They start up some friendly chatter. Apparently, Roaringhorn is supposed to take office in about a month, and Gen is familiar with him and the other two nobles that run the town. They take turns with leadership rotation. They also compete and try to one-up each other each year. "It gets bigger every year!" Grinda Z should absolutely check out Halina's Bakery if she's looking to purchase some tarts.
Grinda tells Gen she's looking for someone she's needing to do business with, a Hiron Zail. Gen then tells her that he's been looking for the Elf as well, but he hasn't come into town. They were supposed to meet a few days ago, and Gen was told to wait for him, but he's worried the wagons of food he has "for the Hall in Waterdeep" are going to spoil. Gen was also supposed to act courier as well for an item Zail was supposed to hand off to him. He asks Grinda her business, and she excuses herself to go and fetch Dhann. Gen is happy to wait while she does so. Barrett, having watched the entire exchange, gauges Gen to be sincere in all he's said thus far.
Grinda Z tells Dhann what Gen's said so far, so the Cleric follows the Bard back to Gen while Ely says she'll go and get a room at the inn so they have a more private place to talk. As she walks, she tries to spot any elderly Elven gentleman but no one she can see matches that description.
Dhann is introduced to Gen as Simon, "Grinda, you know, let me introduce my good friend here...Simon." Gen happily shakes hands with Dhann and the Cleric asks him a few questions for the following information:
- Dhann explains they're associates with people back in Waterdeep who ordered the food. Gen confirms the wagonloads are bound for Helm's Hall.
- Gen transports food from Amphail and Greenest to Waterdeep; it's his main occupation.
- Zail was the one who placed the order, "or was at least involved with it," at the Hall's request.
- Gen was to wait to meet Zail in Amphail, and pick up and convey an item back to Waterdeep for him.
- His expenses incurred at staying at the inn weren't a part of the original expenses and Dhann says they'll discuss that as well.
Dhann, Grinda Z, Barrett, with Gen, head to the inn and meet Ely outside, when from an alleyway to the north is a loud and shrill couple of girlish screams, bringing the crowd within earshot to a pause in their activities. Grinda Z and Barrett immediately dash to investigate, with their two friends just behind, Dhann calling back, "Just a minute, if you don't mind!" as he runs.
To everyone's stunned horror, a massive hill giant makes himself known in the alleyway as he stomps towards the town, bushel of some sort of food tucked under a trunklike arm. The giant, Ultas, sees a wagon of fruits and vegetables in the alley and begins lumbering his way over to investigate. As he does this, Ely is able to see behind him. "Uhh - there's two!" She yells. "There's two, there's two!" And behind Ultas, Heltas, armed with a club, tromps towards the town center. The Warlock casts Bless on her friends, and scrambles for a lamppost to gain the height a nearby roof would afford. The lamppost isn't strong enough to support her entire climb and so she finishes her ascendance by Misty Stepping the rest of the way and landing on the shingles.
Dhann, remembering Anoin Vellana's advice of "Talk first, run second," and knowing that the giants have been having food shortages of their own, casts Tongues on himself and tries to halt Ultas' stomping by yelling, "Excuse me! Might we have a word?!" The giant, looking down at the puny thing yelling at him, is either just acknowledging someone was calling at him, or doesn't have any interest in talking. It's not clear.
Grinda Z charmingly calls, "Hey big boy! You can't take that!" and uses the drum to attract Ultas' attention. She very much gets his attention. Barrett maintains a position that will enable to hi to either assist Ely, or punch one of the giants in the head should they grow violent. The giant, seeing food he likes more, throws his bag of procured goods in a random direction, and the bag slams into Barrett.
Chaos ensues! The giants, lured into the town center by the smells of the food and Dhann pointing out the roast (maybe they'll come, they'll eat, and they'll leave!), Ultas procuring said roast, but not before giving Grinda Z a clumsy pat on her head before hefting up the entire roast and spit. Roaringhorn, not really noticing anything besides the decline in partying, is trying to calm down the panicked townspeople. Heltas, distracted by illusory potatoes Minorly Illusioned by Barrett, spends a couple of seconds scraping his hands through the image and becoming even more confused. Then, seeing his companion with a roast, decides that's better than potatoes that are stuck and rumbles his way over, and starts demolishing a crate of watermelons. Elyana works to distract Heltas by using Mage Hand to lift a plate of food in front of the giant's face and keep him distracted from the people running in every direction.
Barrett, with the best vantage point, sees a third giant appearing in town, on the western side of the square. She seems much more on a mission than the other two, making her purposeful way towards the second buffet set up of food at the party, next to the wine and ale from earlier. The vintner from earlier refuses to leave his wares, or set down his glass. Barrett shouts a warning to his companions.
Dhann shouts at people who are gawking to leave the square and get inside, as it seems the giants are most likely hungry, and not trying to directly attack anyone. Roaringhorn makes direct eye contact with Dhann, and then runs for cover. Grinda Z convinces Ultas to make his exit from Amphail, roast in hand. On his way out, he shoves past Dhann, who decides to be pushed out of the way and fall rather than attempt to push back and potentially anger the giant. Barrett gets to the roof of the tavern for better visibility and holds an attack should any of the giants attack anyone.
But wait! There's pie! Heltas, not wanting watermelon or floating plates anymore practically wades his way into the stage, boards and planks splintering and snapping as he then chows down on the previously started in on pastries.
As the female giant, Hota, smashes her way through tables, a poor nobleman gets hit and he goes flying across the square, but Ely halves his injuries with the Gem. Dhann scrambles up from the ground, and starts to dash across the square to the third giant, seeing her hit the man and head for the other tables. The Cleric reaches the downed man, hauling him to his feet, and casts Healing Word on him while yelling at Hota, "If you need something, why don't you just ask!"
With Heltas becoming trapped by the pies and a collapsed stage, Grinda Z whips two sneezers to wrap around his head to incapacitate any idea he has of munching on said pies, while the revelers continue to scatter into nearby buildings to avoid getting slammed or smashed in the melee. Barrett makes sure to be in a position of flanking or direct assistance to any of his friends who may need it, while adding to Helta's sneezing hell by making the sneezing sound explosive with Thaumaturgy.
Ely, after a second of hesitation, summons a Wall of Light, hitting both Hota and Heltas squarely with the ends, and dissecting the town square with a wall of Radiant light. Hota roars in pain as the light both burns and blinds, with Heltas able to maintain his eyesight, but still getting a bit seared. Swinging her club wildly, Hota barely missed clonking the vintner into the next plane, and he has the sense and dexterity to duck under her backswing. Knowing the vintner is somewhere near Hota, Dhann dashes through the wall's light, skidding around the casks and snagging the man's jacket to yank him behind the Cleric. The man's glass of wine crashes to the cobblestones.
Grinda Z hops closer to the blinded and downed Hota, the Bard now casts Hideous Laughter and she breaks into roaring snorts of hilarity. At this time, Barrett releases a deluge of nonlethal blows down onto the sneezing Heltas to hasten the giant's want to leave the town, if he doesn't want to already. The club lent by Elminster echoes in time to the sneezes. Some of the townspeople, a bit braver, start to try herding the giants away, banging on pots, clubs, bits of the wreckage, and yelling in an attempt to shoo away the unwanted guests. One of them, Elyana sees, is wearing the Waterdhavian coat from earlier.
The Warlock sends a chunk of the wall's light to lash out at Hota, burning her further and hoping the giant takes the hint and leaves. The giant scrambles to her feet, and runs for it. A poor man, unable to get out of the way quickly enough, takes a bit of a knock, but it's lessened by Ely's quick reaction.
As if sensing Hota fleeing the town, Heltas, too, runs after her down one of the southeastern roads, licking his wounds. The giants have decided, ultimately, the food isn't worth the pain and are soon out of sight. Ultas is most likely the winner, having left town seconds before and gotten do to so with a roast-kebab.
The guards of the town make sure the giants stay out, and the townspeople begin to take stock of what's left of the NameDay setup. Elyana drops the Wall of Light, and Dhann quickly checks the alleyway the original screams came from. There's no one hurt - presumably the screams came from someone in an house, who saw the giants. The Trollmates gather with Gen in front of the Stone Stallion, and prepare to assess the damage done.

Not long after the giants make their destructive ways out of the city square, Tylandar Roaringhorn crawls out from beneath the bird waste encrusted Statue of the Great Shalarn. He looks right and left to make sure the coast is clear (or possibly to make sure nobody is watching) and crawls all the way out, straightens himself and his clothes and dons his more noble, stoic face. He quickly makes his way to the area where the Trollmates are gathered with Gen.

"Oh, thank you, thank you dear friends for coming to the rescue on my NameDay! I feel our festivities would have been cut short if not for you protecting us from those beasts!" He turns to look down the alley and, coincidentally, a barrel falls from its stack nearby forcing Tylandar to flinch in fear and whip his head around. "Aahh! Oh, thought maybe there was a fourth. Dreadful creatures they are! At any rate, so noble of you to save my day! Please, accept these coins as a reward for your uncanny bravery!" He holds his hand out with approximately 6 gold coins. His wide smile is full of teeth dramatically yellowed from too much pipeweed. He turns and claps to no one and shouts, "Very well! Let's get this all cleaned up! Terrence! Have your people take care of this!" Following his gaze to the doorway of the Staghorn Flagon, the group sees Terrence currently huddled in the doorway while still pounding on the obviously locked door demanding to be let in. "I do need to tend to the remains of the pie contest with some urgency but I hope you'll remain here at the festivities for the evening. I'll be in Mother Gothal's later this evening if you'd like to stop buy and allow me to thank you more properly! Please, enjoy yourselves!" He heads off and begins shouting orders at just about anyone he can find in the hopes of salvaging some sense of festivity despite the obvious disaster that has been created.

Barrett, who accepted the coins only because he happened to be closest, counts them out to his teammates. "Two for you. Two for you. And two for you," he says, placing the coins in their hands with over-exaggerated care and doing his best to mimic Tylandar's rhythm and pace.
Then, in his own voice, "I suggest you spread those around to the people that look like they might have suffered the most damage in the attack. I'm going to talk to some of the locals for a bit."

Elyana nods her head at Barrett’s words, being too out of breath to fully respond back. As he walks away, she takes a couple steps back and crumples, exhausted onto one of the few benches left intact. She’s no monk herself, so the quite a bit of running she did in the short amount of time that the conflict lasted was finally catching up with her. The cold metal of the coins feels good against her heated skin, as does the weather and she takes off her traveler’s coat to let it seep in while she regains her composure and ponders the choices she made.

Next time on...

The small issue with the giants resolved for now, the Trollmates now have to see how involved they'll be in the cleanup, before finally being able to speak to Gen about the missing Hiron Zail, and, hopefully, getting a lead on where to commence looking for him. He never made it to Amphail - where is he?

Totally Z's Kind of Battle [Session 47]

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